trades unionshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/taxonomy/term/1274/all
enDomestic workers launch global social media campaign for their rightshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21808
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<p>Christian Aid and Migrant Forum Asia are among the groups to launch #OurHands, a social media campaign to raise domestic workers’ awareness of their rights.</p>
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<p>Christian Aid, Migrant Forum Asia and domestic workers rights organisations from around the world have joined together to launch #OurHands, a new social media campaign to raise domestic workers’ awareness of their rights.<br />
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The launch took place on Wednesday (16 June), International Domestic Workers' Day. This year it celebrates the fourth anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 189, concerned with 'Decent Work for Domestic Workers'.<br />
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Agnes Matienzo of Migrant Forum Asia said that domestic workers “deserve to have their rights respected and protected. This exciting campaign is designed to use social media to educate and inform domestic workers around the world about their rights.” </p>
<p>The campaign aims to create an empowering environment for domestic workers to articulate their rights, organise themselves, negotiate their terms of employment and discuss issues that concern them.<br />
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“Everyone is invited to participate in this campaign,” added Matienzo. “Whether you are a domestic worker, an organisation that works on worker rights issues, a student or academic writing about domestic worker issues, a faith-based organisation interested in working on outreach, a journalist or a policy-maker – all are welcome to engage with us on social media as we join #OurHands to spread the word about domestic worker rights!”<br />
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The groups behind the campaign say that there are approximately 53 million domestic workers worldwide. Many are migrant workers and most are women. They carry out essential work, providing care for children and elderly people and supporting the households of their employers as well as their own families.<br />
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Christian Aid reports that many countries fail to protect domestic workers' labour and human rights. Such workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, with their work difficult to regulate as it takes place in private households. In some countries, including the UK, visas are tied to employment, which means workers cannot easily leave an abusive employer.<br />
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Although the domestic workers' convention was introduced four years ago, it has only been ratified by 20 countries. The campaign calls for governments to make a strong political commitment to not only ratify the convention, but also to implement its provisions into their national labour legislation.<br />
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These include allowing domestic workers to form and join trade unions and to be included in national labour laws, as well as providing human and financial resources to enable domestic workers' organisations and support groups to advocate effectively.</p>
<p> “Raising awareness is a crucial step in enabling domestic workers to work together to ensure that their rights are protected and upheld”, said Agnes Matienzo. “We look forward to working with governments and employers and standing alongside domestic workers to ensure that their rights are protected; that domestic work is seen as work; and domestic workers are treated as workers entitled to rights like any other worker.”</p>
<p>* Find out more about the campaign and join #Ourhands via its website and social media platforms: <a href="http://www.DWRights.org" title="www.DWRights.org">www.DWRights.org</a>, Facebook page (Facebook.com/DomesticWorkerRights), and Twitter feed: twitter.com/dw_rights.</p>
<p>[Ekk/1]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsGlobalisation and DevelopmentNews Briefdomestic workersmigrationtrades unionsworkers' rightsWorld NewsFri, 19 Jun 2015 11:12:18 +0000staff writers21808 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk TUC launches new Charter for International LGBT Solidarityhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21544
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<p>The TUC has launched a new Charter for International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Solidarity.</p>
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<p>The TUC has today (27 March 2015)) launched a new Charter for International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Solidarity.</p>
<p>The central message of the Charter is that solidarity is at the core of trade union values, but that decisions regarding when, whether and how to act must be firmly in the hands of the LGBT communities in each country.</p>
<p>The Charter explains how unions may best support the struggles of LGBT people in the many countries where homosexuality is illegal, and subject to popular prejudice. It is still a crime to be lesbian, gay or bisexual in over 70 countries, with punishments including life imprisonment, flogging and the death penalty. Crucially, the Charter emphasises that:</p>
<p> - Leadership must come from the LGBT communities.</p>
<p> - LGBT communities in different countries will have varied approaches based on cultural and national sensitivities.</p>
<p> - Trade unions should be prepared to offer practical support in whatever form is needed.</p>
<p>TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The message of this charter is that trade unions support campaigns against laws that oppress LGBT people across the world. ‘An injury to one is an injury to all’ is a basic trade union message and it applies everywhere.</p>
<p>“Unions will also support LGBT communities who wish to avoid a kneejerk response to violations ­– one example being the Winter Olympics in Russia where a boycott was seen to be doing more harm than good and Russian LGBT organisations called for engagement as a more effective approach.”</p>
<p>* The TUC Charter for International LGBT Solidarity is available at: <a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LGBTTUCharter.pdf" title="https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LGBTTUCharter.pdf">https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LGBTTUCharter.pdf</a></p>
<p>* TUC <a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/" title="https://www.tuc.org.uk/">https://www.tuc.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>[Ekk/4]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsSex and GenderNews Briefhuman rightsLGBTsolidaritytrades unionstucUK NewsFri, 27 Mar 2015 09:34:29 +0000agency reporter21544 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukQuaker headquarters under pressure over treatment of junior staffhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21300
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<p>Quakers in Britain have become embroiled in a controversy over the dismissal of three workers at their headquarters in London.</p>
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<p>Quakers in Britain have become embroiled in a controversy over the treatment of hospitality workers at their national headquarters in central London. Three workers claim that they were effectively sacked because of they spoke up for their principles at work, an allegation strongly denied by the organisation's leadership.</p>
<p>Friends House, the Quakers' head office and conference centre in Euston Road, London, employs over 100 people. The Quakers are keen to emphasise that all staff receive above the recognised London Living Wage and that union membership is encouraged.</p>
<p>The controversy blew up when Friends House recently brought an end to its much criticised zero-hours contracts for its cafe and restaurant staff, replacing them with a smaller number of fixed-hours contracts. Rather than simply offering fixed hours to all workers on zero-hour contracts, such workers were expected to re-apply for jobs. </p>
<p>Three former employees, who had campaigned against zero hours, allege that making the change in this way allowed management to exclude workers known for their union activity and radical views. They have held two peaceful protests outside the building in recent weeks.</p>
<p>The most senior staff member of British Quakers – Paul Parker, the Recording Clerk – has denied the allegations (<a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21289" title="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21289">http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21289</a>). </p>
<p>Two of the three, Anna Jemiolek and Martin Nickolay-Blake served as union representatives at Friends House for Unite, as well as being members of the Industrial Workers of the World, an anarcho-syndicalist trade union. The third, Georgia Coles-Riley, has been described as “a principled Quaker”.</p>
<p>Supporters of the three ex-workers say that they were all known for speaking up for their principles at work. Nickolay-Blake has long been suspected of being the author of an anonymous article in <em>Young Quaker</em> magazine in 2013 that criticised employment practices at Friends House. </p>
<p>In summer 2014, Anna Jemiolek was suspended on full pay during a disciplinary investigation. She says this followed a meeting with two male senior managers in which she was told she was being suspended for her own good. The process concluded with the decision that Jemiolek could not continue to work for Friends House. </p>
<p>The other two say that they were told in September that there would be no work for them until at least December. Nickolay-Blake described this as “nonsense”, saying “hospitality staff are overworked and have insufficient cover”. </p>
<p>He said that less than two weeks later, they received advertisements for new roles to cover the jobs previously carried out by the three of them. </p>
<p>According to Friends House, this was simply about replacing zero-hours contracts with fixed-hours contracts. A spokesperson for Quakers in Britain said, “Colleagues holding zero-hours contracts were invited to apply for these; some chose not to apply, whilst others have applied and have been appointed.”</p>
<p>Nickolay-Blake told Ekklesia, “We refused to apply, both on the grounds that we should not have to apply for our own jobs, and that we were not willing to be divided by being forced to compete with each other over work.”</p>
<p>For many Quakers, the controversy dates back to the time when the Quaker leadership set up Friends House Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary company that runs the building's cafe, restaurant and similar functions. Critics allege that it is managed by people with little understanding of Quakerism. Some say they treat staff relatively well, compared to most private sector employers, but that this is far removed form the principles of a radical religious society. </p>
<p>In response to an enquiry from Ekklesia last week, a spokesperson for Quakers in Britain, said, “We feel it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases. However, there is no basis for the claim that the disciplinary procedure was related to union activity.”</p>
<p>On Monday (12 January 2015), when the former employees staged their second demonstration outside Friends House, the organisation shifted from its refusal to comment on individual cases. Paul Parker, Quaker Recording Clerk, insisted that the organisation had “sought to treat its current and former employees fairly, compassionately and with the dignity which it believes each human being is entitled to expect”. </p>
<p>He said that the suspension of the staff member last summer was unrelated to union activity but concerned “working relationships” with other staff. He said that Friends House paid her while suspended, although they were under no obligation to do so. </p>
<p>In contrast, her supporters claim that she was intimidated by management. One current member of Friends House staff, who did not wish to be named, said that there was a lot of sympathy for her within the building. </p>
<p>Paul Parker added, “We are saddened that some individuals not connected with this organisation, nor with the Unite union, are distributing inaccurate and unattributed information about a management decision arrived at after proper notice and full consultation.” This appears to be a reference to the Industrial Workers of the World, whose London branch is backing the three ex-employees of Friends House. </p>
<p>While only one of the three is a Quaker, the other two emphasise that they are not criticising Quakers as a whole but the management of Friends House and of Friends House Hospitality in particular. </p>
<p>[Ekk/1]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsReligion and SocietyNews BriefquakersReligious Society of Friendstrades unionsUK Newsworkers' rightszero-hours contractsThu, 15 Jan 2015 17:44:18 +0000staff writers21300 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukSri Lanka must change, urge unions and intellectualshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20780
<p><a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20780" target="_blank">read more</a></p>Economy and PoliticsEducation and CultureNews Briefartistscorruptioncost of livingEconomyhealth careintellectualspaysri lankatrades unionsBlogFri, 29 Aug 2014 21:56:58 +0000Savi Hensman20780 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukLobbying bill: silencing the public may not be so easyhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20049
<p><a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20049" target="_blank">read more</a></p>Economy and PoliticsPeople and PowerNews Briefdemocracyfree speechlobbyinglobbying billparliamenttrades unionsUK governmentBlogWed, 29 Jan 2014 17:50:48 +0000Savi Hensman20049 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukBusiness committee criticises Lobbying Bill union restrictionshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19346
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<p>The section of the controversial Lobbying Bill attempting to shackle trade unions has been declared unfit for purpose by an advisory committee.</p>
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<p>The section of the controversial Lobbying Bill attempting to shackle trade unions has been declared unfit for purpose by a red tape advisory committee. </p>
<p>The UK government has been asked to withdraw and start again in its assessment of the impact of part three of the Bill, concerning union membership systems.</p>
<p>The Regulatory Policy Committee, set up by government to advise on the impact of regulations, a majority of whose members are from a business background, has given the Bill’s regulatory impact assessment a rare red rating. </p>
<p>In their decision they say: "The impact assessment lacks a sound evidence base and is insufficiently robust to justify RPC validation of the estimated costs to civil society organisations (trade unions). The IA needs to provide a more detailed assessment of all likely costs to trade unions, including all familiarisation costs and recurring costs to small unions. The assessment should be supported by further evidence that was gathered from consultation with stakeholders, in particular quality assurers."</p>
<p>Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Frances O’Grady commented: “Part three of this dreadful and friendless bill imposes needless red tape on trade union membership systems. But no-one has explained why. </p>
<p>"The law already regulates union membership and the union regulator, the Certification Officer, has plenty of power, but has received no complaints since 2004.</p>
<p>“This unnecessary Bill will make union membership lists open to further state scrutiny despite recent evidence of extensive blacklisting.</p>
<p>“This committee is effectively saying that the impact statement has been written on the back of an envelope. That will not come as a surprise to anyone interested in this party-political partisan Bill that has been attacked from all sides as it goes through parliament.”</p>
<p>Part two of the Bill, which would impose severe limits on the freedom of speech of charities, advocacy groups, think tanks and other civic organisations a year from election campaigns, has also been strongly criticised on civil rights grounds. </p>
<p>Ekklesia is a supporter of the work of the work of the independent Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement, which is critiquing Part Two of the Transparency of Lobbying, non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, and also backs union criticism of Part Three.</p>
<p>* The Regulatory Policy Committee decision is available at <a href="http://regulatorypolicycommittee.independent.gov.uk/rpc-publishes-2-red-rated-opinions" title="http://regulatorypolicycommittee.independent.gov.uk/rpc-publishes-2-red-rated-opinions">http://regulatorypolicycommittee.independent.gov.uk/rpc-publishes-2-red-...</a></p>
<p> * A TUC briefing on the Transparency of Lobbying, non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill is available (*.PDF Adobe Acrobat document) at: <a href="http://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LobbyingBillbriefing.pdf" title="www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LobbyingBillbriefing.pdf">www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/LobbyingBillbriefing.pdf</a></p>
<p>* Non-party campaigning ahead of elections: a response from the independent Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement: <a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19330" title="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19330">http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19330</a></p>
<p>* More from Ekklesia on the Lobbying Bill: <a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/lobbyingbill" title="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/lobbyingbill">http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/lobbyingbill</a></p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Crime and JusticeEconomy and PoliticsNews Brieffree speechlobbylobbying billtrades union congresstrades unionstucUK NewsunionsThu, 31 Oct 2013 14:28:15 +0000staff writers19346 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukUnion joins calls for investment in green jobshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19098
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<p>Green jobs development is a major missed opportunity to provide work for some one million young unemployed people, says the GMB union.</p>
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<p>Green jobs development is a major missed opportunity to provide work for some one million young unemployed people, says the GMB.</p>
<p>The money to fund green energy comes from UK consumers who have every right to expect that the government would have an industrial strategy in place to promote jobs, the union says</p>
<p>GMB, which is the union for energy workers, was commenting on a report published by trade body Renewable UK last week.</p>
<p>This indicated that there are 18,000 green jobs in the UK. That is far from sufficient, say critics, including environmentalists and charities. </p>
<p>Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary declared “ In our opinion this report gives the wrong impression on the number of green jobs that could be created in the UK.</p>
<p>"In fact the whole issue of green jobs is one massive missed opportunity for the UK to build up the green energy sector. These figures disguise the disgraceful lack of a proper strategy to promote the industry and the skills needed.</p>
<p>"Just take the Thames Array as an example," he went on. "It is our understanding that on this, one of the world’s largest wind farms, that the turbines and much of the Infrastructure was manufacture aboard and boats used to float the turbines into position were from the continent with a workforce also mainly from the continent.</p>
<p>"If government and the industry are serious about developing green jobs in the UK they would not allow this to be happening. The money to fund green energy comes from the bills of UK consumers who have no choice in the matter. They have every right to expect that the government that decreed that they should pay for green energy would have an industrial strategy in place to promote jobs to the nearly 1 million young workers out of work in the UK.</p>
<p>"This government is perfectly happy to promote the mixed economy when it comes to paying tax payers money to private sector corporations. However, when it comes to an industrial strategy to promote jobs and new industrial sectors, the government leaves it to the same corporations which spend the money importing much of the technology from overseas. This is completely out of order and not acceptable.”</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Ecology and EnvironmentEconomy and PoliticsNews Briefgreen energygreen jobstrade uniontrades unionsUK NewsSun, 22 Sep 2013 21:25:57 +0000staff writers19098 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukWorkers' Memorial Day marked in Bristolhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18349
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<p>More than 150 people attended an event in Bristol Cathedral on Sunday 28 April to mark Workers' Memorial Day.</p>
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<p>More than 150 people attended an event in Bristol Cathedral on Sunday 28 April to mark Workers' Memorial Day.</p>
<p>The event, organised by the South West Trades Union Congress (TUC) , attracted members of unions from all over the city to remember those who lost their lives because of their work, and to campaign for the living.</p>
<p>The cathedral was lined with colourful trade union banners as Canon Tim Higgins welcomed people to the building, saying religious and trade union communities were linked by a common desire for justice and peace.</p>
<p>Rich harmonies from the Red Notes Choir rang through the cathedral and created a moving ceremony that paid tribute to those killed as a result of work but who inspired on-going campaigns to protect working people.</p>
<p>Nigel Costley, regional secretary of the South West TUC, said a worker died every 15 seconds somewhere in the world and that unions had a key part to play in worker safety, explaining that unionised workplaces were twice as safe as non-unionised ones.</p>
<p>Julia Verne from Public Health England said there were 16 deaths at work in the South West in 2012, but more than 2,000 workers suffered by life-threatening injuries.</p>
<p>The BBC's Sally Challoner then interviewed Dave Moscrop, who gave a powerful and moving account of how his father died after contracting mesothelioma in the workplace, and how he was seeking justice.</p>
<p>Dave said he was still angry at his father's bosses wilfully ignoring safety to protect their profits. His father, he said, was allowed to work on one side of a factory, making cabinets, when on the other side, asbestos was freely cut into pieces, sending dust into the air.</p>
<p>Sally then spoke to Tim Morris from UCATT, who said the only way to make the construction industry safer was to change the way it is run. He told of cuts to health and safety putting workers in danger, and of the horror of turning up at building sites after a death.</p>
<p>Dave Smith from the Blacklist Support Group gave a passionate speech about how trade union representatives who raised safety issues on building sites were 'blacklisted' - put on a secret list held by employers, and never employed again.</p>
<p>Dave said he had seen the blacklist detailing names and addresses of activists, even the type of car they drove.</p>
<p>He finished to rousing applause, saying he had no intention of remaining silent over the issue.</p>
<p>Moving on to an international dimension, Farzana Saker from Bristol Multi-Faith Forum went on to say that despite improvements in working conditions the UK, many multinational companies circumvented regulations by outsourcing manufacturing to countries with less regulation.</p>
<p>Anna McMullen from Label Behind the Label then said the worst thing about the Bangladesh tragedy, in which more than 350 people died, was that employers knew it was going to happen.</p>
<p>She said the owners of the eight-storey building were warned of cracks in the walls the day before the building collapsed, yet ignored them to continue working. Unions, she said, were repressed, preventing workers from raising safety concerns.</p>
<p>She finished by saying factories were death traps waiting to happen and, rather than express shock and sympathy, UK brands such as Primark and Matalan, who sold garments made in these factories, should invest in safety.</p>
<p>The final speaker was NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet, who asked people who it was who gave a voice to whistleblowers raising safety concerns, who shone a light into dark corners that bosses would rather were left in the shadows.</p>
<p>The answer, of course, was journalists, some 121 of whom lost their lives during the course of their work in 2012. The single biggest contributor to journalists' deaths, she said, was the culture of impunity as politicians turned a blind eye to the killings.</p>
<p>Nigel Costley closed the event by declaring trade unions must use the day to redouble their efforts to keep workplaces safe.</p>
<p>A short march to Castle Green followed , where wreaths were laid at the foot of the plaque to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of their work.</p>
<p>[Ekk/4]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsNews Briefcoventry cathedralinternational workers memorial dayjustice and peacetrades unionstucUK NewsTue, 30 Apr 2013 17:03:57 +0000agency reporter18349 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukUnions criticise government for abolition of Agricultural Wages Boardhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18315
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<p>The TUC has criticised ministers for refusing to discuss proposals to save the Agricultural Wages Board.</p>
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<p>Unions have criticised ministers for refusing to discuss proposals to save the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB), during the final debate on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill last night (16 April.)</p>
<p>The AWB for England and Wales brings together employers and unions to set wages and conditions for 150,000 agricultural employees. It was abolished, without a vote after the government guillotined a debate in the House of Commons yesterday. </p>
<p>TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "This Bill is a direct attack on agricultural workers and has been sped through the House without any proper debate on its likely impact.</p>
<p>"The government's own figures show that getting rid of the AWB could see wages in the agricultural industry fall by £13 million, with many farm workers and their families strongly relying upon it to stay above the breadline.</p>
<p>"We are also worried that removing the minimum sick pay entitlements set by the board will mean that farm workers will return from illness before they are properly fit. Agriculture accounts for a quarter of all workplace deaths with 41 people killed last year alone."</p>
<p>Julia Long, national officer for agriculture for the Unite union described the AWB as having "been effective in the last 65 years in protecting the incomes of some of the lowest paid workers in the country."</p>
<p>"Supermarkets and the growers, who supply them, are behind the Agricultural Wages Board’s abolition proposal as they want to drive down workers’ wages to poverty levels”, she said.</p>
<p>[Ekk/4]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsNews BriefagricultureAWBtrades unionstucUK governmentUK Newsunite trade unionwagesWed, 17 Apr 2013 17:21:54 +0000staff writers18315 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukThousands march for alternatives to austerityhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17220
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<p>Over 150,000 people have marched in London, Glasgow and Belfast for alternatives to the UK government's cuts agenda.</p>
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<p>Over 150,000 people marched on Saturday (20 October 2012) in London, Glasgow and Belfast for alternatives to the UK government's cuts agenda. Disabled people, unemployed workers, trade unionists, civil society organisations, faith groups and other members of the public came together under the title “A Future That Works”. </p>
<p>The marches were organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) with the support of the Coalition of Resistance and other groups.</p>
<p>As opinion polls show increase opposition to government claims that austerity is necessary to reduce the deficit, many of the marchers sought to highlight concrete alternatives to cuts. </p>
<p>They included calls for a crackdown on corporate tax avoidance, cancellation of plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system, an end to subsidies for the arms industry and a cap on private sector rents to reduce the housing benefit bill without punishing the poorest. </p>
<p>Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, accused the government of making “economically illiterate cuts”. </p>
<p>She told fellow marchers, “We must invest in decent homes, renewable energy, public services, public transport and the infrastructure we need to bring manufacturing back to Britain. We must also restore food production systems within this country. All of these things are urgent, and need investment and planning to deliver.”</p>
<p>Labour Party leader Ed Miliband spoke at the rally at the end of the London march but declined to join the march itself. He was jeered by a large percentage of those present as he said that a Labour government would also make public service cuts. But he promised that he would not cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for everyone else.</p>
<p>The rally received messages of support and solidarity from people campaigning against austerity policies in Greece, Spain, France and elsewhere.</p>
<p>Several trade union leaders, including Bob Crow of the RMT and Mark Serwotka of the PCS, called for serious consideration to be given to a general strike in response to the cuts. Frances O'Grady, General Secretary designate of the TUC, promised to fight as hard for the mass of Britain's population as Tory ministers do for the richest.</p>
<p>But the TUC was criticised in some quarters for filling the stage with trade union leaders while largely excluding grassroots campaigning groups such as Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and UK Uncut.</p>
<p>Members of Christianity Uncut, a network of anti-capitalist Christians, were present on the marches in Belfast and Glasgow as well as London. They marched with the slogan “Don't punish the poor for the sins of the rich”. The group received messages from Christians who were unable to join the marches in person but offered their support and prayers.</p>
<p>Christianity Uncut pointed out that many churches are witnessing the effects of growing poverty, unemployment and homelessness in their own communities. They urged Christians to be at the forefront of campaigns for alternatives. </p>
<p>“As a Christian, as well as part of wider society, I believe I have a responsibility to campaign against the causes of poverty as well as working to minimise the effects,” explained Sally Rush, who travelled from Milton Keynes to join the protest in London. </p>
<p>She added, “For me regularly praying 'your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven' means I have to actively engage in seeking that kingdom. That's why I'm marching.”</p>
<p>[Ekk/1]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsReligion and SocietyNews Briefarms tradeausteritychristianity uncutcutsnuclear weaponstaxationtrades union congresstrades unionsUK NewsSun, 21 Oct 2012 23:01:37 +0000staff writers17220 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukThousands say 'People First' in Scottish anti-cuts marchhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15479
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<p>Many thousands of people marched in Glasgow this weekend to protest against government cuts and call for a just UK-wide economic policy.</p>
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<p>Many thousands of people marched in Glasgow this weekend to protest against government cuts and call for a just UK-wide economic policy.</p>
<p>The People First rally brought together politicians from a range of parties, trade unionists and faith groups campaigning to protect those hardest hit by service and benefits cuts across Britain.</p>
<p>The march left Glasgow Green at 12am on Saturday 1 October and included a range of fringe events in places of worship, student unions and hotels across the city.</p>
<p>Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, commented: "We have been joined by thousands of people from all over Scotland and from its diverse communities for the People First demonstration."</p>
<p>He continued: "First and foremost this sends a clear message to the coalition Government and Tory Party conference that we need a Plan B now to avoid recession, rising poverty and damaging cuts in services."</p>
<p>"But it also says to politicians of all parties civic society will come together to ensure that policies at all levels of government serve the purpose of redistributing wealth and protecting those hit by cuts in services," said Smith.</p>
<p>Labour leader Iain Gray MSP, who also attended the march, accused the Scottish Government of passing on Conservative cuts. The SNP says in response that Labour would have done the same, only worse. </p>
<p>Mr Gray declared: "As for the Tory-led government, now is the time for people right across Scotland to send a clear message to David Cameron and George Osborne: your austerity programme is not working - change course now."</p>
<p>Glasgow Kelvin SNP MSP Sandra White, said: "We must strive towards a Scotland where all have the opportunity to reach their potential and where we live in a fair and just society where inequality is tackled at every level. When the gap between rich and poor grows even wider we must stand in solidarity and work together to create greater social equality throughout Scotland. Yes the deficit needs to be reduced but it should not be reduced on the back of public sector workers."</p>
<p>Patrick Harvie, Glasgow's Green MSP, who spoke at the rally in Kelvingrove Park, said ahead of the demonstration: "Almost one year ago I joined the STUC rally in Edinburgh and joined all those calling for a better way of dealing with the economic mess we're in. Over the last year, we've seen Conservative and Lib Dem politicians cutting ever deeper into public services, and the SNP largely handing the cuts straight on to Scottish services and public sector workers. The case against this reckless cuts agenda has grown ever stronger, but the Coalition has chosen in the meantime to treble tuition fees for large numbers of students, slash public sector jobs and pensions and cut funding to countless local services.</p>
<p>"The likes of Cameron, Clegg, Osborne and Alexander must be the only people unable to see that their free market ideology is in crisis. The Right has failed utterly, and instead of a cure has only another dose of economic poison to offer," he added.</p>
<p>"We are coming together in Glasgow to show the Coalition that a united and determined movement is mounting a powerful campaign against this attack on Scotland's jobs and services," said Harvie. </p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsNews Briefcutsdemonstrationgovernment cutslabour partyscotlandscottish green partySNPtrades unionsUK NewsMon, 03 Oct 2011 08:15:30 +0000staff writers15479 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukTrade unions to build alliances ahead of day of actionhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15380
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<p>Public sector unions planing a day of action over government cuts are aiming to build alliances with private sector workers and the wider anti-cuts movement.</p>
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<p>Public sector workers planing a day of action over government cuts are aiming to build alliances with private sector workers and the wider anti-cuts movement.</p>
<p>At least ten unions are expected to take strike action on 30 November, if the government fails to change plans to slash retirement benefits. The workers involved may include civil servants, local government employees, teachers, lecturers and firefighters. The strike could involve over a million workers.</p>
<p>Proposing the motion at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) today, Dave Prentis of Unison said, “Now is the time to make our stand”. </p>
<p>Several of the trade unionists involved are keen to emphasise that the issue is not only about the working conditions of public sector employees but all people affected by rising unemployment and government cuts to public services and the welfare state. Official figures released today show that UK unemployment has risen to 2.51 million.</p>
<p>Prentis told the TUC that the government and right-wing media would seek to “divide and rule” by setting public and private sector workers against each other. “We must stay strong and united,” he said, “All of us shoulder to shoulder”.</p>
<p>Mark Serwotka of the PCS union, which represents civil servants, also offered his solidarity to employees in the private sector. </p>
<p>“It's a disgrace what has happened to you and your pensions,” he said, “But we should not equalise misery but fight for fair pension for all”. </p>
<p>He told private sector workers, “Not a single public-sector worker has ever harmed you. And marching together we can win". </p>
<p>Other unions to join the strike ballot include Unite, GMB, all four leading schoolteaching unions, the Northern Ireland Public Services Alliance and the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics and lecturers. At least three other unions are considering holding a ballot. </p>
<p>Public sector workers in the UK are more likely to belong to a union than their private sector counterparts. </p>
<p>Campaigners are aiming to promote union membership among large parts of the private sector characterised by low pay, poor conditions and the use of agency staff with few employment rights. Call centres in the UK now employ around as many people as the mining industry at its height, while an even greater number work in supermarkets. </p>
<p>The government said that trade unions have been too quick to propose industrial action, but ministers were criticised for misrepresenting the situation. Several trade unionists said that in many cases changes have been proposed without consultation. </p>
<p>Sally Hunt of the UCU accused the government of running “a taxpayer-funded campaign of misinformation”.</p>
<p>She added, “Industrial action is always a last resort for educators and we will work closely with students to minimise problems where possible”. </p>
<p>[Ekk/1]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsNews BriefcutsPCSpensionstrades union congresstrades unionsUK NewsunisonUniversity and College UnionWed, 14 Sep 2011 20:54:26 +0000staff writers15380 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukTrade unions call for global economic summit to avert crisishttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15215
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<p>Global union leaders have called on G20 leaders to convene an emergency Summit to regulate the markets and avert a world economic collapse.</p>
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<p>Global union leaders have called on G20 leaders to convene an emergency Summit to regulate the markets and avert a world economic collapse.</p>
<p>The call comes as the collapse in world share values threatens to trigger renewed downturn and with it, a surge in unemployment, reports LabourStart. </p>
<p>"Three years ago G20 leaders said they would never let the financial markets dictate economic policy again - sadly their actions were woefully inadequate, and we are now experiencing the consequences," says International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary, Sharan Burrow. </p>
<p>She continues: "It is not too late; an emergency G20 summit must do what they promised then, and introduce effective regulatory measures backed by employment targets for their policies."</p>
<p>"Stock markets have responded predictably like panicking sheep to the vacuum of leadership from the G20," added Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD General Secretary, John Evans. </p>
<p>"The only acceptable way to exit from this crisis is to stimulate growth and job creation, yet the governments are talking of further austerity. The private sector will never generate jobs as long as companies see no reason to anticipate higher demand for their products. Decisive pro-employment measures are urgently needed," he said.</p>
<p>* International Trade Union Confederation - <a href="http://www.ituc-csi.org/" title="www.ituc-csi.org/">www.ituc-csi.org/</a></p>
<p>* LabourStart - ww.labourstart.org/</p>
<p>* Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD - <a href="http://www.tuac.org/" title="www.tuac.org/">www.tuac.org/</a></p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsNews BriefeconomicsEconomyfinancial crisisglobalLabourtrade unionismtrade unionstrades unionsunemploymentWorld NewsMon, 08 Aug 2011 12:58:52 +0000staff writers15215 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukBBC hit by further waves of action over redundancies and cutshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15186
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<p>Thousands of journalists across the BBC yesterday took part in a second 24-hour strike against compulsory redundancies at the Corporation.</p>
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<p>Thousands of journalists across the BBC yesterday took part in a second 24-hour strike against compulsory redundancies at the Corporation. </p>
<p>There was severe disruption to BBC schedules, with the loss of radio flagships PM and The World at One, and a curtailed Today programme. </p>
<p>Across the BBC networks, programmes were affected, and the strikers had considerable encouragement from the public, says the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). </p>
<p>There was backing, too, from other trades unions, including strong encouragement from other broadcasters in the north east of England. </p>
<p>NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet commented: “There has been a really solid turnout on picket lines across the BBC, with a particular impact on regional news programmes.” </p>
<p>The strike – the second in three weeks – was called by journalists at the BBC over management plans to sack hundreds of people in a compulsory redundancy programme. </p>
<p>Under the disputed plan, 387 posts would be lost across the BBC World Service and BBC Monitoring, following cuts in government funding. </p>
<p>Michelle Stanistreet added: “The NUJ is proud that our members everywhere in the BBC have recognised this threat to their colleagues, and the danger it poses to the quality journalism for which the BBC is rightly respected. </p>
<p>“BBC management seems to live in a fantasy world where it believes it can ignore the rights of staff and pretend that a serious industrial dispute simply isn’t happening. The latest ludicrous ploy is to claim that the strike isn’t having any effect. Clearly BBC management doesn’t watch the corporation’s output very much." </p>
<p>Meanwhile, journalists at the BBC’s Arabic Service are continuing industrial action against what they say are unfair working conditions. They decided to celebrate the success of their action and the First day of Ramadan by gathering together to have Ramadan Iftar in front of Broadcasting House in London.</p>
<p>The Arabic Service strike action continues until midnight on Thursday 4 August 2011.</p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsPeople and PowerNews BriefbbcbroadcastingjournalismNational Union of Journalistsstrikestrades unionsUK NewsTue, 02 Aug 2011 11:50:52 +0000staff writers15186 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukCatholic gathering will examine 'justice at work' issueshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/14967
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<p>Justice in the workplace is the theme of the 33rd annual National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales conference.</p>
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<p>Justice in the workplace will be the theme of the 33rd annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, it has been announced. </p>
<p>The network brings together Catholics from a wide range of backgrounds. Around 400 people are expected to attend the event at Swanwick 15-17 July 2011 </p>
<p>This popular conference (the full title for which is ‘Justice at Work - A Place of safety, fulfilment and growth’) will feature a mix of talks, workshops, and market place. </p>
<p>The event aims to raise awareness of working conditions in the context of today’s economy and modern society. It will explore the dignity and reality of contemporary work from a Christian perspective, using Catholic Social Teaching. </p>
<p>The conference is child-friendly, the organisers stress, with children and youth programmes running alongside the adult programme. </p>
<p>The NJPN, a leading grassroots campaigning network, was established to encourage prophetic witness, raising awareness of justice and peace as central to the life of the Catholic Church.</p>
<p>Speakers at the event include David McLoughlin, Senior Lecturer in Theology at Newman University College and a founder member of the Movement of Christian Workers; Jon Cruddas MP, a member of the Transport and General Workers Union from 1989 until his election to parliament in 2001 and a supporter of the minimum wage; Frances O’Grady, deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and the first woman ever to hold this post; John Battle, former National Co-ordinator of Church Action on Poverty and MP for Leeds West from 1987 until he stood down in 2010; CAFOD partner Sheila Kambobe, Deputy Director of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection in Zambia who has worked on UN programmes in Sierra Leone, East Timor and Cambodia. </p>
<p>More than 20 workshops will cover such issues as: ‘The Living Wage Campaign’, ‘Workers in the Informal Economy’, ‘The UK Arms Industry – Ethical Issues and Alternatives’, ‘God’s Compassion for Women involved in Prostitution’ and ‘A Balanced Approach – Does your work leave any space for life?’. Martin Foley, Director of Apostleship of the Sea, will address the challenges facing the global seafaring community; Rosie Bairwal, National Coordinator of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice, will explore discrimination in the workplace; John Fowler of the Farm Crisis Network will share experiences of rural workers; and Christine Allen, Director of Progressio, examine the impact of development workers in the global south.</p>
<p>A workshop on Migrant Domestic Workers will be led by Marissa Begonia, a migrant worker herself who is spokesperson for Justice for Domestic Workers, a British-based self-help group that has been working with trade unions in the UK to win support for an International Convention on Domestic Work. </p>
<p>Just this week a new treaty she lobbied for was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva which will protect millions of domestic workers around the world. Under the new international legal instrument, domestic workers will have rights such as an entitlement to social protection, to rest days and annual leave, collective bargaining and protection from abuse.</p>
<p>On the Saturday evening of the conference there will be a Question Time panel chaired by Bishop William Kenney, auxiliary in Birmingham Archdiocese. The panel will include Rachael Maskell, National Officer for 60,000 Community, Youth Workers and Not for Profit sector workers of the public sector union Unite. These include many who work for charities, housing associations and faith workers.</p>
<p>* Places are still available and all are welcome, says NJPN. The booking form can be downloaded (*.PDF Adobe Acrobat file) at:<br />
<a href="http://justice-and-peace.org.uk/documents/CONF%202011%20Booking%20Form.pdf" title="http://justice-and-peace.org.uk/documents/CONF%202011%20Booking%20Form.pdf">http://justice-and-peace.org.uk/documents/CONF%202011%20Booking%20Form.pdf</a></p>
<p>* See also: <a href="http://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk" title="www.justice-and-peace.org.uk">www.justice-and-peace.org.uk</a></p>
<p>---------------</p>
<p>(c) <strong>Ellen Teague</strong> is a freelance Catholic journalist who works regularly for The Tablet, JUSTICE magazine, Independent Catholic News, Redemptorist Publications and the Messenger of St Anthony. She is also a member of the Columban Missionary Society Justice and Peace team, and chairs the Environment Working Group of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales.</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsPeople and PowerReligion and SocietyNews Brieflabour forceNational Justice and Peace Networktrades unionsUK NewsworkersFri, 17 Jun 2011 18:38:51 +0000Ellen Teague14967 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk